Side cover tabs

[old2soon]

Where the side covers meet the center section towards the front. There is a tab i'm making in my shop to replace the ones that are broken out. Does anyone know how long they are supposed to be?? I took my electronic sliding caliper and measured from surface of the side cover to the back surface of the tab and it averages out at 4.3MM. Thinking of right at a 4MM length. The tab(male part)is with the front center section and the slot(female part)is on the side cover itself. And as usual T I A for any and all help. RIDE SAFE.

[Jack B]

I just fixed a broken tab on the middle part I used a paper clip and plastic weld and then sanded it till it fit

[vanagon40]

old2soon,

I could not figure out where to start measuring, or where to stop.

This is the best photo I could manage:



It would appear to me that the actual depth is not that critical, just so long as there is room enough to insert the slotted part.

IF you want to make an exact replica, I would be happy to ship you my center cover for you to measure, drool over, and otherwise have your way with, in exchange for your promise to return it when you are finished measuring, drooling, etc.  If that is your desire, email me your address and I will ship first thing Monday.  Email to vanagon [four] [zero] at gmail dot com.

[old2soon]

old2soon,

I could not figure out where to start measuring, or where to stop.

This is the best photo I could manage:



It would appear to me that the actual depth is not that critical, just so long as there is room enough to insert the slotted part.

IF you want to make an exact replica, I would be happy to ship you my center cover for you to measure, drool over, and otherwise have your way with, in exchange for your promise to return it when you are finished measuring, drooling, etc.  If that is your desire, email me your address and I will ship first thing Monday.  Email to vanagon [four] [zero] at gmail dot com.

  That picture will do nicely thank you very much. The reason i'm making my own tabs to replace the broken ones is right at $195.00. Appreciate the offer of sending me the center section but i am reawakening old modeling skills from centuries past. Thanks ever so much for everyones help. When i get these installed and working correctly i'll try to fill people in on it. So some cop food more caffeine and out to the shop!! RIDE SAFE.

[b1rks]

JB Weld worked well. Or a similar product. Used a dumar to sand it down. I just fitted them together till it worked. Better than the ridiculous quote from Honda to replace.Terrible design if you ask me.

[wolf]

had a broken tab on my chrome side covers to fix it i used two small chrome screws to hold it  then i did the other side just to make it look like it matches

[old2soon]

Well the J B Weld was or was not the culprit. I waited a little over 24 hours after setting the tabs in place. Prior to reinstalling the side covers i checked the tabs by trying to wiggle the gently. No wiggle-this is good. Installed the left side cover first. New tab slid into the slot just fine. When i pushed the lower center and the upper right mounts into their respective positions the newly mounted tabs broke right off. And yes the same thing happened on the right side. O fer 2!! Well back to the drawing board. So being the(insert yer description here)kinda guy i am i duct taped my side covers in place and went out for a very nice 231 mile ride Saturday. Worked off some of the frustrations doncha know. Thanks for everyones help and suggestions. Aint giving up i'll noodle sumpin out. RIDE SAFE.

[doubletee]

I took advice from a few here and put a couple of spots of velcro on the inside of the side panel and on the frame. Side panel is still there several thousand miles later. About an inexpensive a fix as can be found.   

[old2soon]

I took advice from a few here and put a couple of spots of velcro on the inside of the side panel and on the frame. Side panel is still there several thousand miles later. About an inexpensive a fix as can be found.   

  Thanks for the tip on the velcro. :coolsmiley:I'll have a look at that later on today or tommorrow. ;)I must be a really bad mechanic-looked at my duct tape job and it's almost as wrinkly as i am!! RIDE SAFE.

[justintyper]

i broke one of mine off picking the bike up off the engine guard and grabbing the wrong spot...doh! but i wrapped the side cover tab with a rubber band and so far its still there 200 plus miles later. i was hoping you would have good luck fixing this so i would have an idea how to fix mine without a bit of red rubber showing. lol oh well give that a shot i just wrapped enough rubber band around to make the tab big enough to get some traction in the slot of the center cover.

[2qmedic]

And I thought I was the only one that used velcro.
THe tab on my side cover broke on a trip between Fl and Mi. I carry tape, wire , zip ties and velcro.
Yep, you guessed it...used velcro on the frame and on the cover to get it to stick. Notice here that it was 2 layers of velcro to get the spacing and holding correct.

It worked!!!

[old2soon]

Thanks to doubletee and a whopping $1.07 at Dollar General my side covers are where da sposed to be and NOT floppin in da wind. The velcro i picked up from Dlr Gnrl is 16 inches long and 3/4 of an inch wide and is self adhesive. The only thing i did was take some sand paper and rough up the surface the velcro gonna stick to. And with side covers installed they look zackly like they should look. I want to thank everyone who offered suggestions and the help and support that make this board so d-mn special. RIDE SAFE.